05/03/2026
Introduction
4 in every thousand Kenyans suffer from preventable and treatable eye ailments
that put them at risk of avoidable blindness. This statistic reflects on the burden of
eyecare in the country; in terms of paucity of community education on matters Eye
health accompanied by a limited number of personnel at the primary eyecare level ,
that forms the majority of the population at risk.
VOSH, Rotaract (Michigan and Utumishi, Nairobi)& National Vision therefore,
identified this gap and take initiative to contribute to the curbing of this situation
through Community Outreach; An annual 3 -day Free Eye Clinic with specific focus
on Cataract Surgeries, Refractive Error correction and Treatment of common eye
conditions; major causes of Avoidable blindness, while engaging with the local
administration in Bahati to assisst in mobilization, while Optometry students from
MMUST provided the much needed screening services.
The success of this activity was a direct result of collaboration, greater impact was
created towards fostering a seeing community.
Beneficiaries Summary
A total of 1,536 patients were beneficiaries of the
camp;
395 (25.7%) children ( 1 – 16yrs) reviewed and
treated.
91(5.9%) referred for Cataract surgery; and further
management.
970 (63.1%) prescription and reading glasses
dispensed.
Conclusion
Bahati Constituency based in Nakuru County, Kenya is a representation of the ardent need of primary eyecare
services in the country as a whole, and sheds light the
impact that initiatives such as this create in these
underserved communities.
With greater support, we are hopeful to access a larger
population, to back Global efforts in the fight against
Avoidable Blindness.
